Tennis coach bound for Rio
To be given the opportunity to go to the Olympics is ‘‘a big honour’’ and Queenstown tennis coach Lan Bale plans to make the most of it.
The 46-year-old found out two weeks ago his New Zealand doubles team of Mike Venus and Marcus Daniell had made the cut and the trio would be heading to Rio.
Bale, in Spain where the team was preparing, said ’’coaching guys playing for New Zealand at the Olympics is a big opportunity.
‘‘Being part of the show is going to be something really memorable.
‘‘It’s going to be really exciting just being in the village ... being around other athletes.’’
Bale was nominated by employer Tennis New Zealand to coach Venus and Daniell following an illustrious playing career where he spent 11 years on the ATP circuit, competed in 23 Grand Slams and made the quarter finals of Wimbledon with doubles partner Brett Steven in 1994.
Despite the Kiwi pair being ranked 107th in the world, Bale expected them to play well.
‘‘They wouldn’t be a big favourite, but that often doesn’t mean too much. It’s often on the day.
‘‘These guys are well capable of beating really, really top teams.
‘‘It wouldn’t surprise me if they did very well.’’
Bale’s team was selected as the top-ranked Oceania side. They would compete for the gold medal alongside 31 other teams.
Singles world number one Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray (2) and Rafael Nadal (4) would be competing in the doubles.
The trio would try and see as many other events as possible including the rowing, Bale said.
‘‘We’ll be shouting for the Kiwis all over the place.’’
Bale moved to Queenstown from his native South Africa in 2002 following retirement from professional tennis.
He has been based in Queenstown since.